Portable receptacle support

ABSTRACT

In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a cansupporting and tipover preventing device in the form of a freestanding base pedestal on which a number of cans rest. These cans are prevented from overturning by an upright member which adjustably and lockingly attaches to one of the handles of each container. Also retainers are provided to support the lids of the containers when in the off position.

United States Patent Maxie R. Mintz 543 Dale Drive, Fayetteville, N.C. 28303 [21] Appl. No. 36,404

[22] Filed Aug. 11, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] PORTABLE RECEPTACLE SUPPORT 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl. 211/71, 211/84, 248/149, 248/D1G. 7 [51 Int. Cl. A47g 29/00 [50] Field ofSearch 1/71 GC, 71, 76, 84; 248/149, 146, 156, 5, D10. 7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,448,456 8/1948 Niskanen 21 1/71 3,224,595 12/1965 Sherley 21 [I83 3,255,986 6/1966 Eadie 248/147 2,702,641 2/1955 Arthur... 211/71 3,313,423 4/1967 Anders.. 211/71 3,515,285 6/1970 Wilkes... 211/71 3,065,857 11/1962 Sanders..... 211/71 1,837,411 12/1931 Cutter.... 248/146 UX 3,091,342 5/1963 Crump 211/71 Primary Examiner- Edward C. Allen Assistant Examiner-Abraham Franked Attorney-John G. Mills, 111

ABSTRACT: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a can-supporting and tipover preventing device in the form of a freestanding base pedestal on which a number of cans rest. These cans are prevented from overturning by an upright member which adjustably and lockingly attaches to one of the handles of each container. Also retainers are provided to support the lids of the containers when in the off position.

PATENTEn HEB 71911 31525; 370

INVENTOR.

M A I R. M I N TZ BY 6M W ATTORNEY PORTABLE RECEPTACLE SUPPORT This invention relates to container-restraining means and more particularly to freestanding, bottom-supporting, cantype container support and overturn-preventing devices.

In the past, various attempts have been made to produce a can retaining means which would prolong the life of the containers such as garbage and trash cans by getting them out of contact with the ground. These prior art devices have taken the form of everything from racks with raised railings around them to various stanchion-type configurations which generally must have their lower portions buried in the ground and support the containers primarily from handle-engaging means.

These prior known devices have generally been inadequate with the rack and railing means being no match to the at tempts of animals such as dogs to overturn the same while the stanchion-type retainers require extensive effort to install due to the requirement of a hole having to be dug and concrete, stone and other material having to be placed around the post. Also these devices have a tendency to work loose, particularly in sandy loam-type soil or in other soils during raining periods. Also this last-mentioned type of support invariably bends or breaks off at the ground line and additionally causes the handies of the containers it supports to rip out due to the weight of the contents of such containers thereby rendering the restrainer completely useless and reducing the life of the cans themselves.

The present invention has been developed after much research and study into the above-mentioned problems and is designed to combine the advantages of the self-standing, racktype support with the benefits of cluster distribution found in the stanchion-type retainers. It also eliminates the tipability of the prior art racks and the handle straining disadvantage of the stanchion-type supports. To accomplish this, a portable base platform is provided with a permanently attached post support in the center thereof carrying a height adjustable, lockable handle-engaging means in combination with quick release top tether means.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a container antitip device that is completely mounted and supported above ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a can support including a multiplicity of containers mounted on a weighted base member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable stanchion-type container retainer having a weighted base for above ground installation.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bottom-supporting stanchion-type above ground-mounted, can retainer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple can retainer including bottom support means for each container and a height adjustable handle-engaging means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a retainer for containers having handles, including a mooring pin-type locking means for lockingly securing said handle to the retainer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bottom supporting, easily removable multiple can retainer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple container support means, including lid-retaining means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support means for the lid of a can when the same is removed therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple receptacle that is simple in obstruction and yet durable in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple receptacle support that is inexpensive to manufacture and for all practical purposes eliminates installation cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle support that is adjustable to accept various size containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a molded concrete base, container bottom engaging, support with means to prevent shifting of the receptacle from its normal upright position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description of the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the portable, bottom-engaging receptacle support of the present invention showing containers retained thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of such invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base portion of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the adjustable handle-engaging means; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the cap portion of the post member of the present invention.

With further reference to the drawings, the multiple receptacle support and restrainer of the present invention indicated generally at is composed of a base member 11 and a stanchion or post member 12.

The base 11 is preferably a cast concrete product and is reinforced against crackage through the use of reinforcing rods 13 embedded therein. A pair of crossing channels 14 are cast in the lower portion of the base to give both a hand hold when moving the same and to add friction against any possible sliding tendency when such base is placed on the ground.

The upper portion or surface of the base 11 contains a plurality of concave, semicircular notches indicated generally at 15 molded thereinto. Each of the notches is formed from a generally flat step portion 16 sloping downwardly toward the periphery of the base at approximately 5 as measured when the bottom of the base is lying in a horizontal plane. The inside edges of each of the notches 15 extends upwardly from its respective step portion 16 to form a can engaging shoulder 17.

Since the largest commonly available trash or garbage receptacle is no greater than 30 inches in diameter, the concave curve of shoulder 17 can in practice he formed on a IS-inch radius. If smaller cans are used they will still engage shoulder 17, particularly as seen in FIG. 1, even though not along as large a surface area as a receptacle having a base diameter of 30 inches.

Although the stanchion or post member 12 could be removably mounted in the base member 11, it is preferably fixedly secured thereto. One means of accomplishing this is to drill or otherwise fonn openings through the lower portion of the post and pass the reinforcing rods 13 therethrough prior to the casting or molding of the base member. A thus produced receptacle support would for all practical purposes have an integral base and post unit which would be inseparable even with abusive use. If, of course, a separable unit is deemed desirable to facilitate shipment or for other reasons, the lower portion of the post 12 could be slotted so that the same would slide over the reinforcing rods 13 which pass across the opening 18 of the base member 11, particularly as seen in FIG. 3. An end cap or similar securing means (not shown) could then be threadedly or otherwise secured to the end of the post to prevent accidental separation of such post from the base.

Slideably mounted on the post or stanchion 12 is a sleeve member 19. Fixedly secured to this sleeve are a plurality of evenly spaced handle engaging hooks 20. Each of these books has a pair of openings 21 therethrough which are adapted to slideably receive a mooring pin 22 in the form of an elongated, pinlike member curved at one end to form a ringlike hook 23.

One or more standard-type setscrews 24 are threaded through the sleeve 19 so that such sleeve can be readily adjustably secured at any desired location along the upright member 12.

On the end of the post member opposite base 11 is a cap member 25. This cap member is preferably removably mounted to the post member so that the sleeve member 19 can be inserted, particularly if the post and base are integrally formed as hereinabove described. The cap member can be either threadedly attached or otherwise secured by means such as setscrews.

An opening is preferably threaded into the top or end of the cap 25 and a retainer bolt 29 threaded thereinto. This bolt will pass through and thus retain both a chain connector 26 and a receptacle lid holder 27. As seen clearly in FIG. 2, the lid holder is formed from a generally square piece of metal with its comers turned up to form hooks 28. The cap bolt 29, as mentioned above, passes through the center of the holder 27, through the chain connector 26, and into the cap 25.

in actual use of the receptacle support of the present invention, such support is rolled on its base member like a tire or hoop to its desired use location. The base is then laid flat on the ground and plurality of receptacles 30 are rested in the notch portions 15. Sleeve member 19 is longitudinally adjusted along post member 12 until it is adjacent one of the handles 31 of each of the receptacles 30 being used. The setscrews 24 are then tightened to prevent further movement between the sleeve and the post.

A handle 31 of each receptacle 30 is hookingly engaged with a respective sleeve hook 20 and a mooring pin 22 is inserted through the pair of openings 21 to prevent accidental disconnection. To prevent loss of the mooring pins and to facilitate easy removal thereof, the ring portion of each pin is bent into one of the links of a receptacle lid retainer chain 32 intermediate its ends. One end of each of these chains is secured to the chain connector 26 and the other end releasably, by means such as a snap hook connected to handle 33' of receptacle lid 33. Thus it can be seen that the lid 33 can be removed to deposit trash or other refuse therein without disengaging the mooring pin from its associated sleeve hook. n the other hand when the refuse collector removes the lid and places it on the lid holder 27, the mooring pin, due to the relatively short length of chain between the handle 33 and its pin connection, will automatically be removed from its hook thus leaving the receptacle handle free of obstructions and ready for removal from the receptacle support.

Once the refuse or other material has been emptied from the receptacle 30, it is replaced in notching engagement with the base 11 with its handle engaging the sleeve hook 20. The receptacle lid can then be placed on the receptacle and the mooring pin 22 passed through the pair of openings 21 so the receptacle is again in retained, usable position.

It should be obvious from the above that the present invention has the advantage of being quicker and easier to place in desired use location while at the same time remaining portable and easily removable to other desired locations. The present invention also has the advantage of being universally adjustable to support any size receptacles. The present invention additionally has the advantage of allowing receptacles to be moored in proper use location while at the same time being readily releasable for emptying or other removal purposes. An even further advantage of the present invention is that the lid of the receptacle can be removed for loading of such receptacle and yet when such lid is placed in retained position adjacent the cap member, the handle locking or mooring pin will automatically be removed thus allowing easy removal of such receptacle from its support.

The terms top," bottom" and so forth have been used herein merely for convenience to describe the receptacle support and its parts oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention since the support may obviously be disposed in many angular positions when it is used.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim: 1. An improved receptacle support comprising: an enlarged,

generally flat base having a peripheral outer portion adapted to support the bottom of at least one receptacle and a central portion; an elongated post secured to the center portion of said base and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; receptacle handle hooking means mounted on said post; and mooring pin means for releasably locking the receptacle handle-hooking means from accidental removal of a handle therefrom whereby a bottom supporting, handle-engaging receptacle support is provided.

2. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein at least one receptacle conforming notch is provided in the peripheral portion of said base.

3. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein at least four receptacles can be properly supported at one time.

4. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein a receptacle lid-holding means is provided on the end of said post member opposite said base.

5. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein the receptacle handle-hooking means is slideably mounted on said post.

6. The receptacle support of claim 5 wherein means are provided to releasably secure said hooking means against sliding movement relative to said post.

7. The receptacle support of claim 6 wherein the securing means is a setscrew.

8. An improved receptacle support comprising: an enlarged, generally flat base having a peripheral outer portion adapted to support the bottom of at least one receptacle and a central portion; an elongated post secured to the center portion of said base and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; receptacle handle-hooking means mounted on said post; means for releasably locking the receptacle handle-hooking means from accidental removal of a receptacle handle therefrom; and a tether means secured between at least one receptacle lid and its associated container handle-locking means whereby when said lid is removed from said receptacle said locking means will be released.

9. An improved receptacle support comprising: an enlarged, generally flat base having a peripheral outer portion adapted to support the bottom of at least one receptacle and a central portion; an elongated post secured to the center portion of said base and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; receptacle handle-hooking means slidably mounted on said post; means for releasably securing said hooking means against sliding movement relative to said post and mooring pin-type locking means for releasably locking the handlehooking means from accidental removal of a receptacle handle therefrom whereby a bottom-supporting, universally adjustable, receptacle support is provided.

10. The receptacle support of claim 9 wherein a receptacle conforming notch is formed in the peripheral portion of said base for each receptacle said support is adapted to accommodate. 

1. An improved receptacle support comprising: an enlarged, generally flat base having a peripheral outer portion adapted to support the bottom of at least one receptacle and a central portion; an elongated post secured to the center portion of said base and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; receptacle handle hooking means mounted on said post; and mooring pin means for releasably locking the receptacle handle-hooking means from accidental removal of a handle therefrom whereby a bottom supporting, handle-engaging receptacle support is provided.
 2. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein at least one receptacle conforming notch is provided in the peripheral portion of said base.
 3. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein at least four receptacles can be properly supported at one time.
 4. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein a receptacle lid-holding means is provided on the end of said post member opposite said base.
 5. The receptacle support of claim 1 wherein the receptacle handle-hooking means is slideably mounted on said post.
 6. The receptacle support of claim 5 wherein means are provided to releasably secure said hooking means against sliding movement relative to said post.
 7. The receptacle support of claim 6 wherein the securing means is a setscrew.
 8. An improved receptacle support comprising: an enlarged, generally flat base having a peripheral outer portion adapted to support the bottom of at least one receptacle and a central portion; an elongated post secured to the center portion of said base and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; receptacle handle-hooking means mounted on said post; means for releasably locking the receptacle handle-hooking means from accidental removal of a receptacle handle therefrom; and a tether means secured between at least one receptacle lid and its associated container handle-locking means whereby when said lid is removed from said receptacle said locking means will be released.
 9. An improved receptacle support comprising: an enlarged, generally flat base having a peripheral outer portion adapted to support the bottom of at least one receptacle and a central portion; an elongated post secured to the center portion of said base and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; receptacle handle-hooking means slidably mounted on said post; means for releasably securing said hooking means against sliding movement relative to said post and mooring pin-type locking means for releasably locking the handle-hooking means from accidental removal of a receptacle handle therefrom whereby a bottom-supporting, universally aDjustable, receptacle support is provided.
 10. The receptacle support of claim 9 wherein a receptacle conforming notch is formed in the peripheral portion of said base for each receptacle said support is adapted to accommodate. 